One arrested for burglary

WEST ALEXANDRIA —A West Alexandria man was arrested last week after a being caught in the act of burglarizing a home.

On Saturday, Dec. 31, at approximately 3:15 p.m., Preble County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 600 block of Stotler Road after receiving a report of a burglary in progress.

According to Sheriff Mike Simpson, the caller stated that her husband was chasing the suspect at the time of the call.

“Deputies responded and located the suspect in a field north and west of the residence that was entered,” Simpson reported. “After a short foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody.”

According to Simpson, the investigation determined the suspect had forcibly entered a residence and was in the process of removing items when a family member of the homeowner arrived. During a search, deputies located drug paraphernalia and plastic baggies which contained a very small amount of suspected methamphetamine, Simpson said.

Deputies arrested the suspect, Zachary A. Lainhart, 20 of West Alexandria. He was housed in the Preble County Jail on preliminary charges, including burglary, a second-degree felony; theft, a fifth-degree felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Lab in Dayton for analysis, Simpson said. Charges were still pending on the drug possession at press time.

PCSO deputies were assisted at the scene by the Eaton Police Division’s K-9 Unit and the West Alexandria Police Department, according to Simpson.

The case has been submitted today to the Preble County Prosecutor’s Office for review and filing of formal charges.